Milk flow meter for a milking system having a substantially stable vacuum level and method for using same

ABSTRACT

A milk flow device which includes a conduit for transporting a substantially continuous milk flow varying in height up to a maximum height wherein the maximum height is less than a fluid height which would occlude the conduit and interrupt the vacuum level is shown. A first sensor determines the height of a selected section of the substantially continuous milk flow. The first sensor has a predetermined cross-sectional area and defines an opening for passing a milk flow therethrough. The first sensor is located at a predetermined location in the conduit. A second sensor having a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross sectional area of the first sensor is spaced within the conduit in a selected direction and a known distance from the first sensor. The second sensor determines that the selected section of the continuous milk flow has traversed the known distance. A conductivity sensor measures the conductivity of the milk. A processing device derives the cross-sectional area of a milk flow from the height of the selected section of the milk flow, determines the elapsed time for the selected section of the milk flow to traverse the known distance and calculates milk flow through the conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” (SEE 37 CFR 1.96)

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] This invention relates to a milk flow meter for a milking systemhaving a substantially stable vacuum level and more particularly relatesto a milk flow device adapted to be positioned in a conduit between amilk claw and a pipe line for transporting in a selected direction andat a selected slope, assisted by gravity, a substantially continuousmilk flow varying in height up to a maximum height within the conduitand wherein the maximum height is less than the height which wouldocclude the conduit and interrupt the vacuum level thereby enabling themilking system to maintain a substantially stable continuous vacuumwhile measuring milk flow.

[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0007] Milking systems having a vacuum for performing milking of cowsare well known in the art. Examples of such milking systems and controlstherefor are described in several United States Patents, such as forexample U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,896,827; 4,616,215; 4,605,040; 4,572,104;4,516,530; 3,783,837 and 3,476,085

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,529 discloses a milk metering and cowidentification system which both monitors milk production and identifieseach of a plurality of animals being milked. A host computer managesboth the flow of data throughout the system and the operation of themilk metering subsystems. The system includes a flow meter comprising aupper housing member and a lower housing member which in use aresealably coupled with a baffle plate via spring clips. The baffle formsa function of reducing the turbulent, pulsatile fluid flow from a milkpump into a manageable fluid stream such that an accurate and reliabledetermination of milk flow rate can be obtain for a cow coupled to amilker.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,119 discloses a method and apparatus formeasuring liquid flow which includes directing the liquid to flowthrough one or more flow channels while exposing the liquid toelectromagnetic radiation. The apparatus measures the transparency toelectromagnetic radiation of the liquid flowing through the flow channeland measures the momentary attenuation of electromagnetic radiation byliquid flowing through the flow channels to determine the momentaryvolume of the liquid flowing through the flow channel. This permits theapparatus to make a determination of the momentary flow rate of theliquid flowing through the flow channels.

[0010] A reference entitled MACHINE MILKING AND LACTATION by A. J.Bramley, F. H. Dood, G. A. Mein and J. A. Bramley, published by Insightbooks, Vermon, USA, describes the history, background and state of theart in milking systems and in Chapter 7 entitled Basic Mechanics andTesting of Milking Systems by G. A. Mein appearing at Pages 235 through284, discloses and describes typical milking machine installations (the“Bramley et al. Reference”). The Bramley et al. Reference recognizesthat controlling the maximum vacuum drop in the system is desirablebecause the vacuum drop depends on surface finish of pipes and theoverall effective length, including bends and fittings of piping in themilking system and interference from various components such as milkflow meters.

[0011] It is known in the art that mastitis can occur if a milk blockageoccurs within the inflation of a teat cup cluster causing a back flow ofmilk into the teat's orifice. Mastitis is an infection of animal bodytissue within the mammary system of an animal. Mastitis may be caused bya number of other conditions including irritation to the teats, as iswell known to persons skilled in the art. In a milking process, mastitisis generally caused by an introduction of foreign bacteria into theanimal's udder, e.g. cow's udder, caused by severe irritation to theteats such that the teat orifices cannot be protected from environmentalbacteria entering the teats. When mastitis occurs, it is an infectionthat the animal, e.g., cow's, body must counteract. Thus the animal'sbody energy is to be used to fight infection rather than produce milk.

[0012] A milking machine or milking system generally cause mastitis intwo ways.

[0013] Mastitis is caused by application of damaging vacuum levels tothe cows' teats which create a severe irritation. Since it is difficultto isolate with any degree of certainty at what level of vacuum suchirritation occurs, the conservative approach is the least level ofvacuum, the better. Each animal, such as a cow, reacts differently tovacuums being applied to teats and each animal tolerates various levelsof vacuum differently.

[0014] When vacuum is applied to an animal's teats, a lower thanatmospheric pressure exists within the animal's udder. When the animalgives milk faster than the milking system can transport the milk awayfrom the teats resulting in a blocking or interfering with the vacuum, aflooding situation occurs resulting in the vacuum being blocked from theteats and udder. The udder is under the operating vacuum level equal tothe source before the flooding occurs when flooding occurs, at anatmospheric pressure is bleed into the milk claw.

[0015] The vacuum level within the milk claw drops because floodingblocks the source of vacuum from the milk claw. This results in the lossof vacuum to the teats and udder. The udder seeks to return to theambient atmospheric pressure from the original vacuum level. As aresult, air will then fill the vacuum. The filling of the vacuum withinthe cow's udder causes a foreign air to be introduced into or drawn intothe cow's udder. Air does not typically carry a detrimental amount offoreign bacteria, but air under a pressure differential functions as apropellant for bacteria. As such, air itself does not cause significantdetriment to the health of the animals, e.g. cow, but the air maytransport bacteria or other contaminants into the teats therebycontributing to mastitis.

[0016] If the vacuum seal breaks and water carrying bacteria is presentaround the udder, the water outside of or in the vicinity of theinflation and air at atmospheric pressure is drawn or sucked into theteats through the teat orifice.

[0017] To overcome such prior art, the inflations and milking systemshave been designed to resist breakage of the vacuum seal and the outletof milk claws and the entire milking system is sized to avoidinterruption of the vacuum level. One such system is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,896,827.

[0018] Typically, animals, especially cows, are giving more milk atfaster milk flow rates. The sizes and design of the state-of-the-artentire milking system are generally inadequate to handle the volume ofmilk without some degree of, and often severe, flooding. Also, knownmilk flow meter contribute to the flooding problems as discussedhereinbefore.

[0019] Flooding continually causes reverse pressure differentials andcollapse of vacuum. The milk fluid, in effect, causes the average vacuumlevel within the claw, liners and teat end to be much lower than thedesired vacuum level due to continual flooding which interrupts thevacuum and causes undesired pressure differences on the teats.

[0020] Introduction of known milk flow meters into vacuum controlledmilking systems contribute to interruption of the vacuum in such systemfor the following reasons.

[0021] Prior art milk flow meters do not have a cross-sectional areasufficiently large to pass a continuous milk flow without occludingthereby contributing to flooding and interruption of the vacuum.

[0022] A milking system including a milk quantity meter is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,792,964. In one embodiment of a milk quantity meterdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,964, the milk quantity meter is locatedbetween a teat cup and a buffer vessel, such as a milk glass, to measurea pulsating milk stream from an individual teat which is obtainedpulsationwise and depending on the pulsation frequency at which themilking takes place thereby measuring the quantity of milk obtained fromseparate udder quarters of the animal.

[0023] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,964, the milk quantity meter measures themilk flow by integrating the pulses of milk in the fully occludedconduit between the teat cup and milk vessel. The milk quantity meterincludes three electrically conductive elements, two of which measurethe resistivity of the milk filling the conduit and a third electrodemeasures the conductivity of the milk. The pulsed milk flow isdetermined by the area of the conduit filled by the milk and the timerequired for a milk pulse, which fills the entire conduit, to travelbetween the two electodes.

[0024] In a second embodiment of a milk quantity meter disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,792,964, the milk quantity meter is located in the pipelinebetween the buffer vessel, such as a milk glass, and a milk tank. Thebuffer vessel is used to effectuate a separation between the air andmilk. The total quantity of milk can be determined accurately by meansof only one quantity meter by discharging the milk from the buffervessel to the milk tank in one single pulsation wherein the quantitymeter is obviously fully occluded by the milk filling the meter due themaximum flow arising from a single pulsation of milk.

[0025] Apparatus for use in monitoring milk flow to control removal ofteat cups from an animal at the termination of a milking cycle isdisclosed in UK Patent Application 2 124 877 A. The monitoring apparatusis located between a cluster having teat cups and a flexible milk flowtube. During milking, a slug of milk occupies the entire cross-sectionof the path and monitoring apparatus. As the end of the milking cycle isreached, the quantity of milk in the path decreases and is monitored bytwo electrodes which measures the resistance of the milk within the pathand generates an output signal which decreases in amplitude as the levelof milk in the path decreases. The monitoring device's responsive to asignificant fall in amplitude of the output signal to provide a signalwhich initiates removal of the teat cups mechanically from the teats ofthe animal.

[0026] Flow meters for measuring flow of milk or fluid utilizingmeasurement of fluid conductivity or specific resistance is known in theart and examples of apparatus are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,245,946;4,922,855; 3,989,009 and 3,242,729.

[0027] It is also known in the art of flow meters to utilizeflow-measuring devices to shut off systems such as milking systems uponcompletion of a milking cycle. Typical apparatus and systems forcontrolling shut off of equipment including milking systems is disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,996,529, 4,756,274 and UK Patent Application21248772 discussed hereinbefore.

[0028] Milk flow meters utilizing metering chambers are well known inthe art and typical systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,720,236;4,433,577; 4,112,758 and DES 357,877.

[0029] Apparatus for measuring milk flow utilizing elongated measuringchambers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,116,119, 4,574,736 and2,898,549.

PRIOR SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0030] None of the known state-of-the-art milking systems utilize a milkflow meter having a conduit for transporting in a selected directionassisted by gravity within the conduit a substantially continuous milkflow varying in height up to a maximum height wherein the maximum heightis less than the height which would occlude said conduit.

[0031] Further, none of the know prior art milk flow meters preventoccluding of the conduit within the meter to prevent flooding andcollapsing of vacuum in a vacuum regulated milking system.

[0032] Further, none of the known prior art milk flow meters provide forreducing mastitis and managing milk flow rates at high pounds per hourwhile reducing irritation to the teats milk flow rates.

[0033] The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior artmilk flow meters by providing a novel and unique milk flow meter for usein a standard milking system or in milking systems having a regulated,stabilized, substantially continuous vacuum level preferably in the milkapparatus, milk claws and milk hose components of the milking system allhaving a predetermined cross-sectional area.

[0034] The preferred embodiment of the milk flow meter of the presentinvention includes a conduit for transporting in a selected directionassisted by gravity within the conduit a substantially continuous milkflow varying in height up to a maximum height within the conduit whereinthe maximum height is less than the height which would occlude theconduit. A first sensor having a predetermined cross-sectional areadefining an opening for passing a milk flow therethrough is located at apredetermined location in the conduit. The predetermined cross-sectionalarea of the first sensor is greater than the cross-sectional area of amilk flow passing therethrough. The first sensor determines the heightof a selected section of milk flow at the predetermined location as afunction of that portion of the predetermined cross sectional areabridged by the varying height of the selected section of the continuousmilk flow at the predetermined location and on the conductivity of milk.A second sensor having a cross sectional area substantially equal to thecross sectional area of the first sensor is spaced within the conduit ina selected direction and a known distance from the first sensor anddetermines the selected section of the continuous milk flow hastraversed the known distance and measures the height of the selectedsection as a function of that portion of the predetermined crosssectional area bridged by the varying height of the selected section ofthe continuous milk flow at the known distance and the conductivity ofmilk.

[0035] In its broadest aspect the present invention can be utilized as adevice for measuring the flow rate of a continuous fluid flow andcomprises a conduit for transporting in a selected direction within theconduit a continuous fluid flow varying in height up to a maximum heightwherein the maximum height is less than the height which would occludethe conduit. A detector is determines at a first predetermined locationthe height of a selected section of the continuous fluid flow at thefirst predetermined location and for determining at a secondpredetermined location in a selected direction and at that a knowndistance from the first predetermined location that the selected sectionof the continuous fluid flow has traversed from the first predeterminedlocation to the second predetermined location. A processing device isoperatively connected to the detector for deriving the cross-sectionalarea of the selected section of the continuous fluid flow determined bythe height measured by the first detector at the first predeterminedlocation, determining the elapsed time of the selected section of thecontinuous fluid flow to traverse the known distance and for calculatingtherefrom the fluid flow of a continuous fluid flow through the conduit.

[0036] One advantage of the present invention is that the milk flowmeter may include, separate detecting sections which can be used tomeasure the height of a selected section or a continuous milk flow tocalculate the area of milk flow and elapsed time for a selected sectionto traverse the known distance between detecting sections.

[0037] Another advantage of the present invention is that the milk flowmeter may include a first detector for measuring the height of aselected section of a substantially continuous milk flow at a firstpredetermined location and a second detector determined that theselected section has traversed and the elapsed time therefor over aknown distance between the first detector and second detector and aprocessing apparatus derives the cross-sectional area of the selectedsection and determined the milk flow rate from the derivedcross-sections area and elapsed time.

[0038] Another advantage of the present invention is that the milkingflow meter can be located between a milk claw and pipeline in a milkingsystem having a substantially stable vacuum level.

[0039] Another advantage of the present invention is that the prolongedused of the milk flow meter of the preferred embodiment resulted in animprovement of the health of the animal or cow.

[0040] Another advantage of the present invention is the use of a milkflow meter of the present invention helps to eliminate mastitis andleads to greater immediate production and production increasesthroughout the life of the animal or cow.

[0041] Another advantage of the present invention is that a milk flowmeter for a milking system is provided having a conduit having sidewallsand a minimum internal diameter selected to be in the range of a minimuminternal diameter of at least about 0.75 inches for maintaining at peakmilk flow rates from a milking apparatus substantially uniform flow ofmilk therethrough and for concurrently providing a stable continuousvacuum in a vacuum channel between the flow of milk and the interiorsidewalls of said conduit in a maximum internal diameter equal to about1.5 times the minimum internal diameter.

[0042] Another advantage of the present invention is that a milk flowmeter is disclosed that is adapted to be operatively connected to amilking apparatus withdrawing milk from an animal's teats while applyinga controlled vacuum in the range of about 11.5 inches of Hg to about14.0 inches of Hg to the teats enabling the milk to be withdrawntherefrom at various milk flow rates up to a peak flow rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] These and other advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent when considered in light of the detailed descriptionhereinafter of the preferred embodiment and of the drawings whichinclude the following figures:

[0044]FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a milking system having amilk flow device utilizing the teaching of the present invention whereinthe milking system includes a milk claw, milk hose, pulsation controldevices, milk line and associated components;

[0045]FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a milk claw having a milkhose which extends to a milk line having a milk flow device located inthe milk hose and wherein a processing device including an integratingsystem is operatively connected to the milk flow device;

[0046]FIG. 3 is a chart plotting the milk flow rate as a function oftime during a typical milking cycle of a cow;

[0047]FIG. 4 is a chart plotting vacuum level of the vacuum source as afunction of time during normal startup, operation of and shut-down ofthe vacuum system illustrated as part of FIG. 1;

[0048]FIG. 5 is a chart plotting vacuum level as a function of timeillustrating operation of a milk claw and milking system for two typesof vacuum controlled milking systems;

[0049]FIG. 6 is a pictorial representation of a milk flow device havinga conduit which transports a substantially continuous milk flow varyingin height up to a maximum height wherein the maximum height is less thana fluid height which would occlude the conduit and interrupt the vacuumlevel and which includes details of a detector, a processing deviceincluding an integrated system for determining fluid flow data;

[0050]FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation of a milk flow device havinga conduit positioned to have gravity assist milk flow therethrough andhaving a first sensor, a second sensor, a conductivity sensor andrepresentations of various components forming a processing device;

[0051]FIG. 8 is a pictorial representation in a perspective section of aconduit having an internal diameter and a first sensor and second sensorhaving a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of theconduit;

[0052]FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of a conduit enclosing afirst sensor having a geometric shape which is generally circular shapedand a second sensor having a different geometric shape; e.g., atriangular shaped and processing device components including aintegrating system and electrode compensator to compensate for anydifferences due to the geometric shapes of the electrodes;

[0053]FIG. 10 is a pictorial representation of a circular shaped conduithaving a first sensor and a second sensor having circular shape;

[0054]FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the conduit taken along sectionlines 11-11 of FIG. 10;

[0055]FIG. 12 is a pictorial representation of a substantially squareshaped conduit having a first sensor and a second sensor having asubstantially square shape;

[0056]FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the conduit taken along sectionlines 13-13 of FIG. 12;

[0057]FIG. 14 is a pictorial representation of a substantiallytriangular shaped conduit having a first sensor and a second sensorhaving a substantially triangular shape;

[0058]FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the conduit taken along sectionlines 15-15 of FIG. 14;

[0059]FIG. 16 is a pictorial representation of a substantiallyrectangular shaped conduit having a first sensor and a second sensorhaving a substantially shaped rectangular;

[0060]FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the conduit taken along sectionlines 17-17 of FIG. 16;

[0061]FIG. 18 is a pictorial representation of a substantiallytrapezoidal shaped conduit having a first sensor and a second sensorhaving a substantially trapezoidal shape;

[0062]FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the conduit taken along sectionlines 19-19 of FIG. 18;

[0063]FIG. 20(A) is a diagrammatic representation of a circularelectrode and an oval shaped electrode shown by the dashed line used asa sensor having reference lines A, B, C and D;

[0064]FIG. 20(B) is a diagrammatic representation of an invertedtriangular electrode used as a sensor having reference lines A, B, C andD;

[0065]FIG. 20(C) is a diagrammatic representation of a rectangularelectrode used as a sensor having reference lines A, B, C and D;

[0066]FIG. 21 is a wave form showing the amplitudes of electricalsignals plotted as a function of time for electrical signal generated bya first sensor for a selected section of a substantially continuous milkflow and by a second sensor for that selected section of a substantiallycontinuous milk flow which has traversed a known distance from the firstsensor to the second sensor wherein the wave form show the time delay orelapsed time required for the selected section of a substantiallycontinuous milk flow to pass from the first sensor to the second sensor;

[0067]FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a milk flow meter having a firstsensor, a second sensor, a conductivity sensor including electricalcontrol and amplification stages and a processing device including anintegrating system and display circuitry; and

[0068]FIG. 23 is a flow chart of a method for measuring the flow rate ofa continuous fluid flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0069] Before proceeding with the description of the preferredembodiment, the following background will be helpful in understandingthis invention.

BACKGROUND

[0070] When a cow enters a milking barn or milking parlor, such as aherring bone style milking parlor, and the milking machine is connectedto the animal's body, the body starts to react in preparation for“letting down” of the animal's, e.g. cow's, milk. A natural processtakes place wherein the animal produces within the animal's blood streama chemical called “oxitosin”. This chemical works its way down into theudder causing the ovili cells to contract. In essence, contraction ofthe ovili cells causes a squeezing effect to help push out, expel orwithdraw the animal's milk. The period of time the animal produces thisoxitosin is limited, and recent research suggests somewhere between 4minutes and 6 minutes on average.

[0071] Once an animal stops producing oxitosin, it becomes difficult, ifnot impossible, to withdraw or remove any remaining milk from theanimal. When milk is left in the udder of the animal, nature “tells” theanimal's body that it does not need to produce as much milk. Therefore,when this happens the animal's body will level off milk production andeventually decreases production during that lactation.

[0072] When a cow begins lactation, the cow increases its production ofmilk each day as a natural response to “feed” the animal's growing babycalf. At some time during that lactation, the cow will naturally leveloff and then begin a decrease in production. This is nature's way of“weaning” off the calf.

[0073] With this in mind, one can conclude it is important to withdrawall the milk an animal can produce, otherwise the animal will respond tonature the next day and produce less milk. Realizing that the oxitosinproducing process is directly related to milk production, it isimportant that the milk be withdrawn during the period of time theanimal is “naturally” willing to give milk otherwise the milk will belost.

[0074] Since the lactation cycle plays an important role during milking,failure to withdraw all of the milk produced each day will not only leadto a loss of that day's production, but could reduce the fullproduction-potential of the animal or cow during the animal's entirelactation life. Therefore, losses of production are compounded if all ofthe produced milk is not removed during a milking cycle.

[0075] The milking system using the teachings of this invention not onlycaptures and relies on the importance of lactation cycles, but is ableto milk the cow faster at a substantially stable continuous vacuum leveland uses the milk flow meter of the present invention which does notimpede or occlude the substantially continuous vacuum during the milkingcycle. Faster milking of an animal allows all the milk to be extractedwithin the oxitosin production period and most importantly when theanimal is willing to give milk production and the milk flow deviceaccurately measured milk flow production.

[0076] Modern dairies use milk flow meters or milk flow devices tomeasure milk flow output from each cow enabling the development ofdatabases which can be used for dairy management and other purposes.

Milking Systems Having Milk Flow Meter

[0077] A pictorial drawing of FIG. 1 illustrates a milking systemshowing generally as 20 which is installed in a milk parlor operationhaving a plurality of vacuum-operated milking machines shown generallyas 22 in individual stalls. A typical milk parlor barn includesindividual stalls for placement of the milking apparatus relative to thecows to be milked.

[0078] In FIG. 1, a source of vacuum is provided to the milking systemby vacuum pump 24 through a vacuum conduit 26 to a vacuum manifoldheader 30. A vacuum regulator 32 is operatively connected to the vacuumconduit 26 to control the maximum vacuum that would be applied to themilking system. Typically, the vacuum level in a milking system is inthe order of 12 inches of Hg (12″ Hg).

[0079] The vacuum manifold header 30 is operatively coupled by apulsation line 36 to a pulsator 40.

[0080] The pulsation line 36 is generally a plastic or steel line thatcarries vacuum, equal to the desired preset vacuum level, to thepulsator 40. Pulsation line 36 must be adequately sized to carry airaway from the pulsator without allowing a drop in vacuum (lower than themilking vacuum level).

[0081] The pulsator 40 is a device that intermittently draws air throughflexible conduit 50 from within the shell (outside the liner) of theinflation 42 and creates a vacuum to “pull” or “open” the inflation 42away from or releasing the teat of the cow making the teat open so thatthe vacuum from the milk claw draws milk down through the teat. This isreferred to as a “milk period”. Alternatively, atmospheric pressure isapplied by the pulsation 40 to the liner to “push” or “close” theinflation 42 against the teat of the cow closing off the teat. This isreferred to as a “rest period”. The pulsator 40 periodically draws airout of the inflation 42 to create a this cycle of opening and closing ofthe liner. This creates a situation of milking (teat under vacuum) andrest (teat not under vacuum).

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vacuum pump 24 removes air from themilking system to create less than atmospheric pressure within themilking system. The vacuum manifold header 30 is essentially adistribution manifold that allows both the milk line 76 and pulsationline 36 to have equal access to the vacuum source, which in thisembodiment is a vacuum pump 24 and vacuum regulator 32.

[0083] The vacuum regulator 32 is a vacuum level controller which is adevice that maintains a predetermined or preset vacuum level within themilking system 20. A typical vacuum pump 24 has capacity to draw vacuumlevels lower than the levels desired in the basic milking system 20. Thevacuum regulator 32 includes an air inlet to vary or balance thecapacity of the vacuum pump 24 or to change the air introduced into themilking process during normal operation. At times when the milkingsystem 20 is intermitting air equal to the vacuum pump 24, the vacuumcontroller or vacuum regulator 32 will be off (no air inlet) When themilking system is intermitting air less than the capacity of the vacuumpump 24 capacity, the vacuum regulator 32 will open and “make-up” thedifference to maintain a constant and predetermined level of vacuum intothe milking system 20 equal to the capacity of the vacuum pump 24.

[0084] Referring back to FIG. 1, the milking apparatus shown generallyas 22 has the inflations 42 which define the teat engaging portion of ateat cup cluster. The milking apparatus 22 is adapted to have theinflations 42 operatively connected or operatively attached with ananimal's udder, such as for example a cow's udder 44, having teats 46 toapply a controlled vacuum to the teats 46 to remove milk therefrom. Theinflations 42 include a shell and liner 48 which have an “open” and“closed” position depending upon the vacuum pressure applied thereto asdescribed hereinbefore. The vacuum pulsator 40 is operatively connectedby a flexible vacuum lines 50 to control the shell and liner 48.

[0085] The shells and liners 48, comprise two components. The firstcomponent is a liner which is a soft rubber tube that goes around thecow's teat 46 to seal it off from atmospheric pressure to allow thevacuum to draw milk from the cow's udder 44. The other component is ashell which is a rigid device that houses the liner and can seal theoutside of the liner from atmospheric pressure. The shells and liners 48cooperate to selectively or controllably apply vacuum to the cow's udder44 and teats 46 to withdraw the milk.

[0086] A milk claw 60, is operatively connected to the inflations 42 bymeans of flexible tubing 62, to receive milk from the inflations 42 atvarious milk flow rates. The milk claw 60 receives and passes the milkunder a stabilized continuous vacuum in a vacuum channel at a selectedvacuum level and, most importantly, at peak milk flow rates. The milkclaw 60 includes an outlet 64 having side walls and preferably has apredetermined cross-sectional area selected to be in the range of: (i) aminimum cross-sectional area for maintaining at all milk flow rates asubstantially uniform laminar flow of milk therethrough and forconcurrently providing a stabilized continuous vacuum in a vacuumchannel between the laminar flow of milk and the interior walls of theoutlet 64; and (ii) a maximum cross-sectional area equal to about 1.5times the minimum cross-sectional area of the outlet 64.

[0087] In the preferred embodiment, the milk claw 60 has four (4)inflations 42 since a cow has (4) four teats. The inflations 42, undercontrolled vacuum pressure from the pulsator 40, extracts milk from thecow's udder 44 as described hereinbefore. The milk claw 60 functions asa manifold device (claw) that brings the milk from four inlets intosingle outlet.

[0088] The milk claw 60 further may optionally include a control orifice70, which is in the form of a calibrated orifice, for controllablyadmitting atmospheric pressure to the milk claw 60. Control orificefunctions to control the vacuum level within the milk claw outlet 64.Also, the milk claw 60 has a housing 66 that has a central chamber 104defined by sidewalls 106.

[0089] It is desirable to intermit air to the vacuum system at thispoint in the milk claw 60 as the cow produces fluid milk; it wouldotherwise be difficult to transport the milk away from the cow withoutapproaching flooding. Therefore, the milk claw 60 may have an air bleedport or control orifice 70 formed therein.

[0090] The milk claw outlet 64 is operatively connected by a milktransport conduit, shown generally as 72. The milk transport conduit 70comprises a milk hose portion 78 and a milk flow meter or milk flowdevice 82. The milk flow device 82 includes its associated electricalprocessing system generally shown as processing device 88.

[0091]FIG. 2 shows in greater detail that the milk transport conduit 72includes the semi-flexible milk hose 78 operatively connected to a milkflow device 82. The semi-flexible milk hose 78 carries the substantiallycontinuous milk flow from the milk flow device 82 to the milk line 76 asshown in FIG. 1.

[0092] The term “milk transport conduit” is intended to also include anyother intermediate in line components, devices, control apparatus or thelike (such as, for example, a milk flow measuring devices, device forterminating or shutting off the vacuum at the end of a milking cycle,vacuum sensing devices and the like. In accordance with the teachings ofthis invention, is desirable and preferable that all such devices,controls and components have a cross-sectional area substantially equalto the predetermined cross-sectional area of the outlet 64. Otherwise,interruption of the vacuum channel may occur caused by flooding and lossor collapse of the vacuum.

[0093] Typically, known prior art control or monitoring devices haveinlets and outlets of different cross-sectional sizes or have apassageway or channel that has a reduced internal dimensions. Suchdevices can cause flooding of milk during maximum milk flow ratesblocking the vacuum channel causing a collapse of the vacuum. Thesedevices typically contribute to delay times required in a milking systemin order to return to the operating vacuum level, generally referred asvacuum recovery. For these reasons, it is anticipated that thisinvention likewise covers such control or monitoring devices that have across-sectional area that is substantially equal to that of the outlet64 used in the milking system using the teachings of this invention.

[0094] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the milk transportationconduit is in the form of a semi-flexible clear plastic hose 78 which isoperatively connected to an inlet nipple 80 of the milk line 76. In thepreferred embodiment, the semi-flexible hose 78 is a plastic or rubberhose connecting the milking claw outlet 64 to the inlet nipple 80 asdescribed above.

[0095] The milk line 76, commonly referred to as a milk transfer line,is in the form of a stainless steel line with adequate capacity to carryvacuum to the cow from the vacuum source 26. The vacuum manifold header30 applies vacuum via a conduit 84 and a moisture trap 86 to a receivingvessel such as a receiving jar 90 which is in the form of an enclosedvessel functioning as a vacuum chamber. The receiving jar 90 isoperatively connected to a milk pump 96 to remove the milk collected inthe receiving jar 90.

[0096] The milk line 76, under a vacuum which is applied thereto throughthe receiving jar 90, transports the milk away from the cow to thereceiving jar 90 where it is accumulated and pumped away by milk pump96.

[0097] It is important for the milk transfer line 76 to have enoughcapacity to carry milk away from all individual milking apparatus 22while still leaving adequate capacity to form a vacuum channel forunrestricted, stable, continuous closed vacuum system to the cow's udder44.

[0098] The milk transfer line 76 and receiver jar 90 must be sized tohave enough capacity such that the milk flow will not fill the line,e.g. flood the line, which would block the vacuum channel and flow ofvacuum to the milking apparatus 22 operatively connected to the cow'sudder 44.

[0099] In addition, the location of the receiving jar 90 affects thevacuum variation. If the lifting height in 0 inches, the vacuumfluctuations are within a narrow range of fluctuations. If the liftingheight is in the order of 12 inches, the vacuum fluctuations are over awider range of fluctuations.

OPERATING EXAMPLE

[0100] In order to explain the operation of the milking system 20including a milk flow device 82 using the teachings of the presentinvention, the following operating example is provided.

[0101] Typically, in a milking system 20, the preset vacuum level isestablished at approximately 12 inches Hg (12″ Hg). A milking cycle of acow to be milked using the present invention may be in the order ofabout 6 minutes. During the milking process, approximately 45 pounds ofmilk may be withdrawn from the cow. The relationship of pounds perminute for each minute of the milking cycle for the above example is asfollows: TABLE 1 Pounds of Milk Cumulative Pounds of Minute of perMinute Milk Withdrawn Milking Cycle (lbs/min) During Milking CycleMinute 1 5  5 Minute 2 through Minute 4 12 36 Minute 5 and Minute 6Approximately 45 2.5

[0102] Referring now to the chart illustrated in FIG. 3, the chart plotsas curve 110 the milk flow rate as function of time during the abovedescribed milking cycle of a cow using the data set forth in Table 1above. Curve 110 shows that at the beginning of the milking cycle thatmaximum flow rate is reached with a minute or so. However, it takesabout two minutes or so at end of the cycle to reduce to a zero flowrate. For purposes of discussion of this example, the milking cycle of 6minutes will continue to be used. During the milking cycles, asubstantially continuous milk flow is present.

[0103] In the chart illustrated in FIG. 4, the chart plots as curve 112vacuum level operation established by the vacuum source as a function oftime during normal startup operation and shut-down of the vacuum systemduring a 6 minute milking cycle. As illustrated, by curve 112 in FIG. 4,when the vacuum is turned on, it immediately reaches a preset vacuumlevel of 12 inches Hg (12″ Hg) which is the desired vacuum level andremains at that level until the end of the milking cycle.

[0104] The wave form of FIG. 5 illustrates in a solid line 116 that thevacuum level plotted as a function of time, for a typical milkingsystem, e.g., ⅝″ milk claw outlet, which is illustrated by curve 116,drops down to approximately 10 inches Hg (10″ Hg) of vacuum level withpeak-to-peak excursions having amplitudes varying between approximately0.5 inches Hg (0.5″ Hg) and 1.5 inches Hg (1.5″ Hg). A decrease from thedesired vacuum level of 12 inches Hg (12″ Hg) to about 10 inches Hg (10″Hg) occurs during the first minute of the milking cycle as the milk flowrate increases from approximately 5 pounds per minute, at one minute ofthe cycle, to approximately 12 pounds per minute at Minutes 2 through 4of the cycle. The peak-to-peak excursions of the vacuum level are causedby the flooding of the milk claw outlet and milk hose which interruptsthe vacuum. As the milk flow rate declines to approximately 2.5 poundsper minutes during Minutes 5 and 6, the vacuum level again approachesthe preset level of 12 inches Hg (12″ Hg) until the end of the milkingcycle.

[0105] In the wave form of FIG. 5, the wave form plots vacuum level as afunction of time in a dashed line 118 when a milk claw 60 having anoutlet 64 and other system component have a preselected cross-sectionalarea within the range of minimum and maximum cross-sectional areasdescribed hereinbefore. As illustrated by curve 118, during the Minute 1the preset vacuum level of 12 inches Hg (12″ Hg) is reached. As the milkflow rate increases and reaches maximum flow during Minutes 2 through 4,the vacuum channel in the outlet 64 and milk hose 78 is not cut off.Thus, a surge of milk at the high milk flow rates will not block themilk claw 60, will not block the milk claw outlet 64 or will not blockthe milk hose 78. As a result, the vacuum level has less peak-to-peakexcursions in amplitude as compared to the peak-to-peak excursionillustrated by curve 116 in FIG. 5. Typically the average vacuum levelremains at approximately 11.5 inches Hg (11.5″ Hg) or about 0.5 inchesHg (0.5″ Hg) fluctuations. However, other variables, such as the liftingheight of the milk, the cross-sectional area of the milk claw outlet andthe number of curves in the piping system and the smoothness of theinterior surfaces all affected the range of vacuum fluctuations.

[0106] It is respectfully noted that the milk flow device of the presentinvention can successfully be used in typical milking systems whereinthe milk claw outlet and system dimension are not optimized to reducevacuum fluctuation, e.g., milk claw outlets having a dimension in theorder of ⅝″.

[0107] Of course, the preferred application of the milk flow meter is ina milking system wherein the milk claw outlet and system componentsincluding the diameter of the milk flow device have a preselectedcross-sectional area within the range of minimum and maximumcross-sectional areas described hereinbefore.

[0108] In the pictorial representation of a device for measuring theflow rate of a substantially continuous fluid flow, shown in FIG. 6, thepreferred embodiment is a milk flow meter 82 having a conduit shown bydashed line 130 which transports in a selected direction aided bygravity a substantially continuous milk flow 132 which varies in heightup to a maximum height. The maximum height is less than a fluid heightwhich would occlude the conduit 130 and interrupt the vacuum which islocated between the milk flow 132 and conduit 130 and shown as area 134.

[0109] A detector shown by dashed box 138 is positioned relative to theconduit 130 for determining the height of a selected section of thesubstantially continuous fluid flow at a first predetermined locationshown by dashed arrow 140. The detector 138 also determines at a secondpredetermined location shown by dashed arrow 142, which is located in aselected direction in a known distance from the first predeterminedlocation 140, that the selected section of the continuous fluid flow 132has traverse from the first predetermined location 132 to the secondpredetermined 142.

[0110] For purposes of this invention, the term “section”, “selectedsection” or “selected section of a continuous fluid flow” means across-sectional slice, cutting or division taken along a planesubstantially normal to the direction of the fluid flow so as toidentify a particular differential section having a predeterminedthickness to establish the “section”, “selected section” or “selectedsection of the continuous fluid flow”. The term “selected section” usedherein refers to each of the above terms.

[0111] The slicing, cutting or division forming the “selected section”is identified electronically by known electronic sampling technologiesand the “selected section” is electronically identified at the firstpredetermined location 140 by its specific characteristics at the timeof sampling and “that selected section” is subsequently electronicallyidentified at the second predetermined location 142 by the substantiallysame electrical characteristics determined by the detector 138 at thefirst predetermined location 140.

[0112] In FIG. 6, the detector 138 may be located anywhere provided ithas the capability of detecting the height of the “selected selection”at the first predetermined location 140. Likewise, detector 138 iscapable of electronically identifying “that selected section” at thesecond predetermined location 142. By electronically making such adetermination, the elapsed time for the “selected selection” to traversethe known distance from the first predetermined location 140 to thesecond predetermined location 142 can be precisely determined.

[0113] There are several ways known in the art to detect the height of a“selected section” for practicing the invention. In the preferredembodiment, an electrode adapted to measure conductivity of the fluidflow is used which essentially depends upon the resistivity of thefluid. However, it is possible to use other sensors for the detectorsuch as, for example and without limitation, magnetic detectors,pressure detectors, ultrasonic detectors, optical detector, e.g.,infrared, laser and the like, capacitive detectors, conductive detectorsand resistance measuring detectors.

[0114] In using such known detectors as described above, it is desirablethat the detector have a lineal or a non-lineal relationship between thedetector signal and the fluid height.

[0115] It is further envisioned that a magnetic detector can utilize anelectrical magnetic measuring device which includes at least one halleffect transducer.

[0116] Referring again to FIG. 6, in the preferred embodiment thedetector 138 would include a first detector section 150 located at thefirst predetermined location 140 within the conduit and a seconddetector section 152 located within the conduit at the secondpredetermined location 142. The detectors 150 and 152 may includeelectronics for determining average heights of a plurality of “selectedsections”.

[0117] As an example, when a milk flow 132 passes through the conduit130, the detector 150 and 152 would sample at a sampling rate of 800samples per second. The 800 samples per second can be plotted in a waveform that represents how the milk flow 132 is transported within theconduit 130. A typically set of wave forms are discussed in greaterdetail herein below in connection with FIG. 21.

[0118] A conductivity sensor 158 is located within the conduit 156 andis positioned to be in substantially continual contact with thesubstantially continuous fluid flow 130 for measuring the conductivityof the continuous fluid flow 132.

[0119] The output from the conductivity sensor 156 is applied to aconductivity sensor control 158.

[0120] The first detector 150 has an output signal shown by arrow 160, asecond detector 152 has an output signal represented by 162 andconductivity sensor control has an output signal represented by arrow164. The output signals appearing on 160, 162 and 164 are applied to aprocessing device shown generally as dashed box 170.

[0121] The processing device 170 includes an integrating system shown bydashed box 172 which includes circuitry 174 for calculating averagefluid height from the first detector in response to the output 160.. Theintegrating system 172 includes a circuit 176 for calculating averagefluid height from the second detector based on output signals receivedfrom output 162.

[0122] In addition, the processing device 170 includes circuitry 178which is responsive to signals 160 and 162 to determine or calculateelapse time for a “selected section” to traverse the known distancebetween the first detector and second detector. A conductivitycompensation device 180 is responsive to the output signals on output164 from the conductivity sensor control 158 to develop signals requiredto compensate calculation as a result of change in conductivity of thecontinuous fluid flow such as the milk flow 132.

[0123] The processing device 170 includes circuitry 182 for deriving orcalculating flow rate from the area determined from the average fluidheight and from the elapsed time for a “selected section” to traversefrom the first detector 140 to the second detector 142 over the knowndistance.

[0124] The processing device 170 is capable of tracking multiplelocations and storage data as represented by lead 184. The output fromthe processing device is fluid flow rate data which can be displayedand/or stored in any desired format such as for example, total weight,weight per minute, flow rate per minute, total gallons of milk or thelike, all as represented by arrow 186.

[0125]FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation of a milk flow meter 200having a conduit 202 positioned at a slope so as to have gravity assistmilk flow 204 therethrough. The milk flow meter 200 includes a firstsensor 206, a second sensor 208, and a conductivity sensor 210.

[0126] In order to have the conduit 202 positioned at a slope so as tohave gravity assist milk flow 204 therethrough, the conduit 202 can notbe positioned in a substantially vertical or in a substantiallyhorizontal position. The conduit 202 is to be placed at a slope having aselected angle. In its broadest application, the selected slope relativeto a horizontal plane can vary between about 5 degrees to about 85degrees.

[0127] In a narrower aspect, the selected slope relative to a horizontalplane can vary between about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees.

[0128] In most applications, the selected slope relative to thehorizontal plane can vary between about 20 degrees to about 60 degrees.

[0129] In a preferred embodiment, a selected slope relative to thehorizontal plane can vary between about 25 degrees to about 35 degreeswith 35 degrees being preferred.

[0130] In the milk flow meter of FIG. 7 the electronic sampling of thefluid flow is obtained by use of a sine wave generator which isoperatively connected by leads 214 and 216 to the rings of the firstsensor 206 and second sensor 208, respectively.

[0131] In addition, a sign wave generator 218 is operatively connectedto the conductivity sensor 210 to provide an electronic sampling of theoutput of the conductivity sensor 210.

[0132] The output from first sensor 206 appears on lead 220, the outputfrom the second sensor 208 appears on lead 222 and the output from theconductivity sensor 220 appears on lead 226. The output signalsappearing on leads 220, 222 and 226 are applied to an amplifier andfilter circuitry 227 and the lead from the amplifier and filter isapplied to a circuit 228 which generates an output signal having anamplitude proportional to fluid height. The output from circuit 228appears on lead 229 is applied to a processing device such as, forexample, processing device 170 of FIG. 6.

[0133] The perspective section of a conduit 230 as shown in FIG. 8 hasan internal diameter 232. The conduit 230 encloses a first sensor 236which is in the form of electrode having a pair of spaced rings 240 and242. In addition, the conduit encloses a second sensor 246 which is inthe form of an electrode having a pair of spaced rings 246 and 248. Eachof the rings 240, 242, 246 and 248 have a diameter substantially equalto the internal diameter 232 of the conduit 230;

[0134]FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of a conduit 270 enclosing afirst sensor 272 having a geometric shape which is generally circularshaped and a second sensor 274 having a different geometric shape, e.g.,an inverted triangular shape.

[0135] Output from the first sensor 272 is applied to an amplifier andfilter 276. The output from the second sensor 274 is likewise applied toan amplifier and filter 278.

[0136] The outputs from each of the amplifier and filter 276 and 278 areapplied as an input to a processing device 280. In the event that it isnecessary to compensate for characteristics for each of the electrodesto obtain the desired height of a “selected section” and fordetermination of elapsed time, an electrode compensator 282 may beutilized to compensate for any variances due to the differences in thegeometric shape of the electrodes.

[0137] Generally, if the electrodes of each of the first sensor andsecond sensor are of the same geometric shape and size, it is usuallynot necessary to utilize an electrode compensator 282.

[0138] The milk flow meter may use sensors having electrodes ofdifferent geometric structures. If the different electrodes structuresresult in any variances in operating characteristics, e.g., the heightof the “selected section” varies due to the electrode structure, theprocessing device includes an electrode compensator to compensate forany differences in determining height or other characteristics of the“selected section” or elapsed time determination due to the geometricshapes of the electrodes.

[0139]FIGS. 10 through 18 depict various shapes for the conduit in amilk flow device or milk flow meter for processing this invention.

[0140] In FIGS. 10 and 11, a circular shaped conduit 300 is shown havinga first sensor 302 in the form of a pair of spaced rings 304 and 306having circular shape. Likewise, a second sensor 308 is in the form of apair of spaced rings 312 and 314 having a circular shape. The diameterof the rings 304, 306, 312 and 314 are substantially equal to theinternal diameter of the conduit 300. The rings 304, 306, 312 and 314may be discrete electrode elements located in grooves formed on theinner surface of the conduit 300 or could be deposited electrodes.

[0141] In FIGS. 12 and 13, a substantially square shaped conduit 320 isshown having a first sensor 322 in the form of a pair of spaced rings326 and 328 having a substantially square shape. Further, a secondsensor 324 is the form of a pair of spaced rings 330 and 332 having asubstantially square shape. The diameter of the rings 326, 328, 330 and332 are substantially equal to the diameter of the conduit 320. Therings 326, 328, 330 and 332 may be discrete electrode elements locatedin grooves formed in the inner surface of conduit 320 or could bedeposited electrodes.

[0142] In FIGS. 14 and 15, a substantially triangular shaped conduit 334is shown having a first sensor 336 in the form of a pair of spaced rings340 and 342 having a substantially triangular shape. Further a secondsensor 338 is the form of a pair of spaced rings 344 and 346 having asubstantially triangular shape. The diameter of the rings 340, 342, 344and 346 are substantially equal to the diameter of the conduit 334. Therings 340, 342, 344 and 346 may be discrete electrode elements locatedin grooves formed in the inner surface of conduit 334 or could bedeposited electrodes.

[0143] In FIGS. 16 and 17, a substantially rectangular shaped conduit350 is shown having a first sensor 352 in the form of a pair of spacedrings 356 and 358 having a substantially rectangular shape. Further asecond sensor 354 is the form of a pair of spaced rings 360 and 362having a substantially rectangular shape. The diameter of the rings 356,358, 360 and 362 are substantially equal to the diameter of the conduit350. The rings 356, 358, 360 and 362 may be discrete electrode elementslocated in grooves formed in the inner surface of conduit 350 or couldbe deposited electrodes.

[0144] In FIGS. 18 and 19, a substantially trapezoidal shaped conduit366 is shown having a first sensor 368 in the form of a pair of spacedrings 372 and 374 having a substantially trapezoidal shape. Further asecond sensor 370 is the form of a pair of spaced rings 376 and 378having a substantially trapezoidal shape. The diameter of the rings 372,374, 376 and 378 are substantially equal to the diameter of the conduit360. The rings 372, 374, 376 and 378 may be discrete electrode elementslocated in grooves formed in the inner surface of conduit 350 or couldbe deposited electrodes.

[0145] FIGS. 20(A), 20(B) and 20(C) are diagrammatically representationsof various electrode shapes which can be used for practicing thisinvention.

[0146]FIG. 20(A) represents a circular shaped electrode shown by solidline 380 which is the preferred embodiment for practicing the invention.Also, an oval shaped electrode is shown by dashed line 381 and an ovalshaped electrode can likewise be used for practicing this invention.Reference line A, identified as line 382; reference line B, identifiedas line 384, reference line C identified as line 386 and reference lineD as line 388 are superimposed on to the circular electrode 380 and ovalelectrode 381. It is noted that the contact area between reference linesA and B, lines 382 and 384, verses the contact area between referencelines B and C, lines 384 and 386 is less. Further, the contact areabetween reference line C and D, lines 386 and 388 is greater than thecontact areas between reference lines A and B, lines 382 and 384, andreference lines B and C, lines 384 and 386. Generally, it is moredifficult to detect slight changes between reference lines A and Bverses reference lines B and C. Therefore, the contact area betweenreference line A, 382 and reference line D, line 388 provides, thelargest contact area enabling the processing device to detect slightchanges using a circular shape electrode. Circular shape electrode doesnot provide linearity.

[0147] The electrode shapes of FIGS. 20(B) and 20(C) include an invertedtriangular shaped electrode 383 and a substantially rectangular shapeelectrode 385 positioned with its longer side 390 extendingsubstantially vertically to the fluid flow within the conduit.

[0148] In FIGS. 20(B) and 20(C) the same reference lines A, B, C and Dare superimposed onto the electrodes 383 and 385. Utilizing one of thegeometrical shapes of FIGS. 20(B) and 20(C) shows that the contact areasbetween the reference lines A, B, C and D provide for a more linealresolution. In applications wherein there is slow continuous fluid flow,the electrode shapes of FIGS. 20(B) and 20(C) would provide betterresolution for measuring low flow rates, as well as for measuring highflow rates.

[0149] It is readily apparent that the height of a fluid flow can beeasily determined by use of reference lines. Since the maximum height ofthe fluid flow is less than the actual height of the conduit enclosingelectrodes 380, 381, 383 or 385, the cross-sectional area of aninfinitesimal differential slice of fluid flow comprising thesubstantially continuous fluid flow can be easily calculated based onthe detected average height and known geometric shape of the electrode.

[0150] Referring now to FIG. 21, FIG. 21 is a wave form showingamplitude of the output signal from a first sensor, e.g., sensor 206 ofFIG. 7 and amplitude of the output signal from a second center, e.g.,sensor 208 of FIG. 7 plotted as a function of time. As discussed inconnection with the description of FIG. 7, the first sensor and secondsensor are sampled at the sampling rate of 800 samples per second. Inorder to detect the fluid flow rate in the milk flow meter two signalsare used which are depicted as solid line 400 and dashed line 402. Thesolid line 400 corresponds to the signal of the first pair of rings,e.g., the pair of spaced, concentrically aliened circular shapedelectrodes forming the first electrode 206 in FIG. 7. The dashed line402 corresponds to the signal of the second pair of rings, e.g., thepair of spaced, concentrically aliened circular shaped electrodesforming the first electrode 208 in FIG. 7.

[0151] In the preferred embodiment, the electrode rings are physicallyidentifiable and the electrical signal produced from the electrode ringsare very similar with the principal difference being in the phase of thesignals.

[0152] In order to develop the elapsed time required for a “selectedsection” to traverse from a first predetermined location to a secondpredetermined location the following algorithm is used. Step Process (1)Subtract point to point of wave form 400 signal from wave form 402signal, 800 sampling points, (2) Add all of the differences and save thevalue as an error for the error step (3) Translate wave form 402 signalone point to the left and repeat steps (1) and (2) (4) Redo this stepuntil wave form 402 has moved at least 300 sampling points (maximumdelay anticipated) (5) Check all errors, it being noted that the errorswill be minimum when both wave forms are in phase. (6) The delay orelapsed time is represented for the number of points that the wave formsignal 402 was shifted to obtain the minimum error. (7) In the event itis required to shift wave form 402 up and down to find the minimum errorthe error developed in step (1) can be used to determine the amount ofshifting required to compensate for the wave form signals not beingidentical in amplitude.

[0153] In the schematic diagram of FIG. 22, the milk flow meter has astructure similar to the structure illustrated in FIG. 7. The outputsignals from the first sensor is represented by box 410 and the outputsignals from the second sensor is represented by box 412. The outputsignals from the conductivity sensor is represented by box 414. Asdiscussed hereinbefore the first sensor and the second sensor aresampled using sign waves as discussed above in connection with FIG. 7.In FIG. 22, the conductivity sensor 414 is sampled by a sign wavesampling circuit depicted by box 416. The outputs from elements 410, 412and 414 are applied to amplifier and circuitry depicted by boxes 420,422 and 424, respectively. The outputs from the amplifier and circuitry420 and 422 vary in portion to fluid height as depicted boxes 428 and430 respectively. The signals from elements 428 and 430 are applied tothe processing device shown by dashed box 440.

[0154] The output from the amplifier and filter element 424 is an outputsignals which varies in proportion to fluid conductivity as illustratedby box 444. The output signals from the elements 428, 430 and 444 areapplied to an integrating system 448 which forms part of the processingdevice 440. The integrating system 448 determines average fluid heightand average conductivity.

[0155] A conductivity compensation device 450 is responsive to theoutput signals from element 448 to compensate the determination made bythe integrating system 448 for variances due to conductivity of thefluid. The output from the integrating system 448 is applied to a signalgenerating circuit 458 which is used to generate an output signalrepresenting fluid flow compensated for variance in fluid conductivity.

[0156] The output from the signal generating circuit 458 is applied to adisplay device 460 to display the relevant fluid flow data.Concurrently, the output from the signal generating circuit 458 isapplied to a network processor 462 which is operatively connected to acomputer 464. The network processor 462 may include inputs from otherprocessing devices as represented by the box labeled “N” PROC. DEVICEand identified as element 456. Inputs from the “IN” PROC. DEVICE 466 isapplied to the network processor 462 by inputs 468.

[0157] The above schematic diagram represents the process forcalculating total value or weight of fluid which passes through theconduit of a continuous flow meter. The volume that passes through theconduit is calculated by the following equation:

V=S×A×T wherein:  (1)

[0158] V=volume;

[0159] S=fluid speed (the desired variable being monitored)

[0160] A=cross section area of conduit filled by continuous fluid flow(determine using known sampling techniques) and

[0161] T=sampling time window (sampling rate per second)

[0162] The flow rate of a continuous fluid flow is calculated using thefollowing concept. A sinusoidal signal is applied to two sensors formedof electrode rings. The electric signal is sampled and passes throughthe continuous fluid flow in both sensors. Since the continuous fluidflow is conducted, e.g., milk is a conductive fluid flow, the continuousfluid acts as a resistor wherein the resistance thereof depends on theheight of the fluid between the pair of electrodes forming the sensor.As a result the signal amplitude that is sensed during the samplingcycles will change as the height of the continuous fluid flow changesinside the conduit.

[0163] As such, when the continuous fluid passes through the conduit thesensors are sampled at a selected sample rate per second and the resultsof the electrical sampling process are plotted as wave forms asdiscussed in connection with FIG. 21 above.

[0164] Accordingly, in a milk flow meter the milk velocity=Distancebetween electrodes divided by the time delay or elapsed time.

[0165] An important criteria of the present invention is that theconduit will never be completely filled with the continuous fluid flowsuch that the vacuum will not be occluded during fluid processing. As aresult the height of the fluid flow is moving up and down so that thewaveforms depicted in FIG. 21 will never be flat.

[0166]FIG. 23 is a flow diagram of a method for measuring flow rate of acontinuous fluid flow. The first step of the method includes readingsignals from sensors and creating a data stream as shown by box 480. Thesignals from the sensors is applied to a filter and are converted to aDC signal as represented by box 482. The next step of the method is tocalculate the average value for the data stream as depicted by box 44.The next step is the detecting of the delay in the signal from the datastream to calculate elapsed time of a “selected section” to traversefrom the first predetermined location to the second predeterminedlocation over the known distance and this step is depicted by box 486.The next step is the calculating of the average conductivity of thefluid based upon signals received from a conductivity sensor and thisstep is depicted by box 490. The next step is the determining of heightand area of a “selected section” of fluid in the conduit and tocompensate in variance in conductivity as depicted by box 492.Thereafter, next step is to calculate the volume of the fluid flow usingthe area of the “selected section” and the delay or elapsed time betweensignals and this step is depicted by box 494. If desired, correction canbe made for any volume discrepancy as depicted by box 496. The next stepis to read and display the data showing fluid flow as depicted by box498. Upon display or storage of the data, the milk flow meter can bereset for a subsequent process and the reset is shown by lead line 500.

[0167] The teachings of the present invention in its broadest aspectcovers a method for measuring flow rate of a continuous fluid flow. Themethod comprises steps of: (a) generating a first signal at a firstpredetermined location representing the height of a selected section ofthe continuous fluid flow at the first predetermined location and forgenerating a second signal at a second predetermined location located ina selected direction and a known distance from the first predeterminedlocation representing that the selected section of the continuous fluidflow has traversed from the first predetermined location to the secondpredetermined location; (b) creating a data stream from the first signaland the second signal;(c) calculating from the data stream an elapsedtime for the selected section of the continuous fluid flow to traversethe known distance; (d) deriving the cross-sectional area of theselected section from the height of the selected section compensated forvariance in conductivity; (e) calculating the volume of fluid flow usingthe cross-sectional area and elapsed time; and (f) generating an outputsignal representing the calculated volume of fluid flow in the conduit.

[0168] The above method may further comprise the steps of: (a)generating a third signal representing the conductivity of the fluid;(b) creating a data stream from the first signal, the second signal andthe third signal; (c) calculating from the data stream an averageconductivity of the fluid; and (d) deriving the cross-sectional area ofthe selected section from the height of the selected section compensatedfor variance in conductivity.

[0169] The above method may further comprise the steps of:(a)transporting within a conduit in a selected direction the continuousfluid flow varying in height up to a maximum height wherein the maximumheight is less than the height which would occlude the conduit.

[0170] The above method may further comprise the step of: (a)calculating from the data stream the average height of a plurality ofthe selected section of the continuous fluid flow at the firstpredetermined location.

[0171] The above method may further comprise the step of generating thefirst signal and the second signal includes the step of: (a) gating witha control signal the generation of the first signal and the secondsignal.

[0172] The above method may further comprise the step of generating thefirst signal and the second signal further comprises the step of: (a)gating and sampling on a periodic basis with a control signal thegeneration of the first signal and the second signal.

[0173] The preferred embodiment of the milking system disclosed hereinusing the teachings of the present invention is exemplary. It isunderstood that uses, variations, modifications and the like may be madeand all such uses, variations, modifications and the like areanticipated to be within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for measuring the flow rate of asubstantially continuous fluid flow comprising a conduit fortransporting in a selected direction a continuous fluid flow varying inheight up to a maximum height wherein said maximum height is less thanthe height which would occlude said conduit; a detector positionedrelative to said conduit for determining the height of a selectedsection of said substantially continuous fluid flow at a firstpredetermined location and for determining at a second predeterminedlocation located in a selected direction and a known distance from saidfirst predetermined location that said selected section of saidcontinuous fluid flow has traversed from said first predeterminedlocation to said second predetermined location; and a processing deviceoperatively connected to said detector for deriving the cross-sectionalarea of said selected section of the substantially continuous fluid flowfrom said height of a selected section determined by said detector atsaid first predetermined location, determining an elapsed time for theselected section of said continuous fluid flow to transverse said knowndistance and for calculating therefrom the fluid flow of saidsubstantially continuous fluid flow through said conduit.
 2. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said detector has a first detection section fordetermining at said first predetermined location the height of saidselected section of said continuous fluid flow and a second detectionsection for determining the height of said selected section of saidcontinuous fluid flow at said second predetermined location.
 3. Thedevice of claim 2 wherein said first detection section and said seconddetection section are located within said conduit, said first detectionsection comprising a first sensor having a predetermined cross-sectionalarea defining an opening for passing said fluid flow therethroughwherein said predetermined cross-sectional area is greater than thecross-sectional area of said fluid flow passing therethrough and whereinsaid second detection section comprises a second sensor having across-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area ofthe first sensor.
 4. A device for measuring the flow rate of asubstantially continuous fluid flow comprising a conduit fortransporting in a selected direction a substantially continuous fluidflow varying in height up to a maximum height wherein said maximumheight is less than the height which would occlude said conduit; a firstdetector positioned relative to said conduit for determining at a firstpredetermined location the height of a selected section of saidcontinuous fluid flow; and a second detector positioned relative to saidconduit and said first detector for determining at a secondpredetermined location located in the selected direction and a knowndistance from said first predetermined location that the selectedsection of said continuous fluid flow has traversed said known distance;and a processing device operatively connected to said first detector andsaid second detector for deriving the cross-sectional area of saidselected section of the substantially continuous fluid from the heightof a selected section at said first predetermined location, fordetermining an elapsed time for the selected section of saidsubstantially continuous fluid flow to traverse said known distance andfor calculating therefrom the fluid flow of said substantiallycontinuous fluid flow through said conduit.
 5. The fluid flow device ofclaim 4 wherein said first detector and said second detector are lasermeasuring devices for determining the heights of said selected sectionof said substantially continuous fluid flow at said first predeterminedlocation and said second predetermined location.
 6. The fluid flowdevice of claim 4 wherein said first detector and said second detectorare ultrasound measuring devices for determining the heights of saidselected section of said substantially continuous fluid flow at saidfirst predetermined location and said second predetermined location. 7.The fluid flow device of claim 4 wherein said first detector and saidsecond detector are electromagnetic measuring devices for determiningthe heights of said selected section of said substantially continuousfluid flow at said first predetermined location and said secondpredetermined location.
 8. The fluid flow device of claim 7 wherein saidelectromagnetic measuring devices include at least one hall effecttransducer.
 9. The fluid flow device of claim 4 wherein said firstdetector and said second detector are pressure measuring devices fordetermining the heights of said selected section of said substantiallycontinuous fluid flow at said first predetermined location and saidsecond predetermined location.
 10. A fluid flow device comprising aconduit for transporting in a selected direction an electricallyconductive substantially continuous fluid flow varying in height up to amaximum height wherein said maximum height is less than the height whichwould occlude said conduit; a first sensor having a predeterminedcross-sectional area defining an opening for passing said fluid flowtherethrough and being located at a first predetermined location withinsaid conduit, said predetermined cross-sectional area being greater thanthe cross-sectional area of said fluid flow passing therethrough, saidfirst sensor being operative to determine the height of a selectedsection of said substantially continuous fluid flow at said firstpredetermined location as a function of that portion of saidpredetermined section of said first sensor enclosed by the selectedsection of said continuous fluid flow at said first predeterminedlocation; and a second sensor having a cross-sectional areasubstantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the first sensor andbeing positioned relative to said conduit and said first sensor andbeing operative to determine at a second predetermined location locatedin a selected direction and a known distance from said firstpredetermined location the height of the selected section of saidsubstantially continuous fluid flow at said second predeterminedlocation as a function of that portion of said predeterminedcross-sectional area of said second sensor enclosed by the selectedsection of said substantially continuous fluid flow at said secondpredetermined location.
 11. The fluid flow device of claim 10 furthercomprising a conductivity sensor located within said conduit andpositioned to be in substantially continual contact with saidsubstantially continuous fluid flow for measuring the conductivity ofsaid electrically conductive continuous fluid flow.
 12. The fluid flowdevice of claim 11 further comprising a processing device operativelyconnected to said first sensor, said second sensor and said conductivitysensor for deriving the cross-sectional area of said electricallyconductive continuous fluid flow from the height of the selected sectionof said substantially continuous fluid flow determined by said firstsensor, determining an elapsed time for the selected section of saidcontinuous fluid flow to traverse said known distance between said firstsensor and said second sensor and for calculating therefrom the fluidflow of the substantially continuous fluid flow through said conduitcompensated for variances of fluid conductivity measured by saidconductivity sensor.
 13. The fluid flow device of claim 10 wherein saidfirst sensor is a pair of spaced, coaxially aligned rings.
 14. The fluidflow device of claim 13 wherein said second sensor is a pair of spaced,coaxially aligned rings.
 15. The fluid flow device of claim 14 whereinsaid first sensor pair of spaced, coaxially aligned rings have aselected diameter and wherein said second sensor comprise a pair ofspaced, coaxially aligned rings having a diameter substantially equal tosaid selected diameter.
 16. The fluid flow device of claim 15 whereinsaid conduit has an internal diameter and said selected diameter issubstantially equal to the internal diameter of said conduit.
 17. Thefluid flow device of claim 11 wherein said conductivity sensor islocated proximate at least one of said first sensor and second sensor.18. The fluid flow device of claim 12 wherein said processing devicefurther includes an integrating device for determining an average heightof a plurality of selected sections of said substantially continuousfluid flow and an average conductivity of said fluid flow; aconductivity compensating device operatively connected to saidintegrating device for determining variances in conductivity of theelectrically conductive fluid forming the fluid flow; and a generatorresponsive to the integrating device for generating an output signalrepresenting the fluid flow compensated for variances in conductivity.19. A milk flow device comprising a conduit for transporting ina-selected direction a continuous milk flow varying in height up to amaximum height within said conduit wherein said maximum height is lessthan the height which would occlude said conduit; a first sensor havinga predetermined cross-sectional area defining an opening for passing amilk flow therethrough and being located at a predetermined location insaid conduit, said predetermined cross-sectional area being greater thanthe cross-sectional area of a milk flow passing therethrough fordetermining the height of a selected section of milk flow at saidpredetermined location as a function of that portion of saidpredetermined cross-sectional area enclosed by the selected section ofthe continuous milk flow at said predetermined location and conductivityof milk; and a second sensor having a cross-sectional area substantiallyequal to the cross-sectional area of the first sensor and being spacedwithin said conduit in a selected direction and a known distance fromfirst sensor for determining the height of said selected section of thecontinuous milk flow at said known distance as a function of thatportion of said predetermined cross-sectional area enclosed by theselected section of the continuous milk flow at said known distance andconductivity of milk.
 20. The milk flow device of claim 19 furthercomprising a conductivity sensor positioned to be in substantiallycontinual contact with said continuous milk flow for measuringconductivity of said milk.
 21. The milk flow device of claim 20 furthercomprising a processing device operatively connected to said firstsensor, said second sensor and said conductivity sensor for deriving thecross-sectional area of a said milk flow from the height of saidselected section of the milk flow as determined by said first sensor,determining an elapsed time for said selected section of the milk flowto traverse said known distance between said first sensor and saidsecond sensor and for calculating milk flow through said conduit basedon area of said fluid flow and elapsed time of said selected section ofmilk flow over said known distance compensated for variances of milkconductivity measured by said conductivity sensor.
 22. The milk flowdevice of claim 21 wherein said first sensor is a pair of spaced,coaxially aligned rings.
 23. The milk flow device of claim 22 whereinsaid second sensor is a pair of spaced, coaxially aligned rings.
 24. Themilk flow device of claim 22 wherein said first sensor pair of spaced,coaxially aligned rings have a selected diameter and wherein said secondsensor comprises a pair of spaced, coaxially aligned rings having adiameter substantially equal to said selected diameter.
 25. The milkflow device of claim 24 wherein said conduit has an internal diameterand said selected diameter is substantially equal to the internaldiameter of said conduit.
 26. The milk flow device of claim 21 whereinsaid processing further includes an integrating device for determiningan average fluid flow height of a plurality of selected sections of milkflow and an average conductivity of said milk flow; a conductivitycompensating device operatively connected to said integrating devicecontaining data representing variances in conductivity of the milkforming the milk flow; and a generator responsive to the integratingdevice for generating an output signal representing the milk flowcompensated for variances in milk conductivity developed from saidconductivity compensating device.
 27. The milk flow device of claim 26wherein said processing device includes an output device responsive tosaid output signal for displaying milk flow in at least one of gallonsper minute and total weight.
 28. A milk flow meter comprising a conduitfor transporting in a selected direction assisted by gravity a milk flowwhich varies in height wherein the height of said milk flow is less thanthe height which would occlude said conduit; a first sensor having aselected cross-sectional area located at a predetermined location withinsaid conduit wherein said selected cross-sectional area of said firstsensor is greater than the cross-sectional area of said selectedcross-sectional area of the milk flow for determining the height of aselected section of milk flow passing at said predetermined locationbased on the portion of the cross-sectional area of said first sensorenclosed by the selected section; a second sensor having across-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area ofthe first sensor and being spaced in said conduit in a selecteddirection and a known distance from first sensor for determining theheight of said selected section of the continuous milk flow at saidknown distance based on the portion of the cross-sectional area of saidsecond sensor enclosed by the selected section; and a conductivitysensor located within said conduit in the proximity of at least one ofsaid first sensor and said second sensor and positioned to be insubstantially continual contact with said milk flow for determiningconductivity of said milk.
 29. The milk flow meter of claim 28 furthercomprising a processing device operatively connected to said firstsensor, said second sensor and said conductivity sensor for deriving thecross-sectional area of said milk flow from said height of said selectedsection of the continuous milk flow determined by said first sensor andan elapsed time for said selected section of the continuous milk flow totraverse said known distance and for deriving therefrom milk flowthrough said conduit independent of variances of milk conductivity. 30.The milk flow meter of claim 28 wherein said conduit has a predeterminedgeometrical shape and said first sensor is a pair of spaced, coaxiallyaligned electrodes having a geometrical shape which is at least one of ashape substantially the same as said predetermined shape and a shapedifferent than said predetermined shape.
 31. The milk flow meter ofclaim 30 wherein said second sensor is a pair of spaced, coaxiallyaligned electrodes having a geometrical shape which is at least one of ashape substantially the same as said predetermined shape and a shapedifferent than said predetermined shape.
 32. The milk flow meter ofclaim 30 wherein the geometrical shape of at least one of said firstsensor and said second sensor is a substantially circular shape.
 33. Themilk flow meter of claim 30 wherein the geometrical shape of at leastone of said first sensor and said second sensor is a substantially ovalshape.
 34. The milk flow meter of claim 30 wherein the geometrical shapeof at least one of said first sensor and said second sensor is asubstantially triangular shape.
 35. The milk flow meter of claim 30wherein said the geometrical shape of at least one of said first sensorand said second sensor is a substantially rectangular shape.
 36. Themilk flow meter of claim 35 wherein said the substantially rectangularshape of at least one of said first sensor and said second sensor is asubstantially square shape.
 37. The milk flow meter of claim 30 whereinthe geometrical shape of at least one of said first sensor and saidsecond sensor is a substantially trapezoid shape.
 38. The fluid flowdevice of claim 29 wherein said processing device further includes anintegrating device for determining an average fluid flow height of aplurality of selected sections of milk flow and an average conductivityof said milk flow; a conductivity compensation device operativelyconnected to said integrating device for deriving data representingvariances in conductivity of the electrically conductive fluid formingthe milk flow; and a generator responsive to the integrating device forgenerating an output signal representing the milk flow compensated forvariance in fluid conductivity developed by said conductivitycompensation device.
 39. A milk flow device adapted to be positionedbetween a milk claw and a pipe line comprising a conduit positionedbetween a milk claw and a pipe line for transporting in a selecteddirection and at a selected slope so as to be enable gravity to assist acontinuous milk flow varying in height up to a maximum height to betransported within said conduit and wherein said maximum height is lessthan the height which would occlude said conduit; a first sensor havinga predetermined cross-sectional area defining an opening for passing amilk flow therethrough and being located at a predetermined location insaid conduit, said predetermined cross-sectional area being greater thanthe cross-sectional area of a milk flow passing therethrough fordetermining the height of a selected section of the continuous milk flowat said predetermined location as a function of that portion of saidpredetermined cross-sectional area enclosed by the selected section of acontinuous milk flow at said predetermined location and the conductivityof milk; and a second sensor having a cross-sectional area substantiallyequal to the cross-sectional area of the first sensor and being spacedin said conduit in said selected direction and a known distance fromfirst sensor for determining the height of said selected section of thecontinuous milk flow at said known distance as a function of thatportion of said predetermined cross-sectional area enclosed by theselected section of said continuous milk flow at said known distance andthe conductivity of milk.
 40. The milk flow device of claim 39 furthercomprising. a conductivity sensor located in said conduit and positionedto be in substantially continual contact with said continuous milk flowfor measuring the conductivity of milk forming said milk flow in theproximity of said first sensor and second sensor.
 41. The milk flowdevice of claim 40 further comprising a processing device operativelyconnected to said first sensor, said second sensor and said conductivitysensor for deriving the cross-sectional area of a said milk flow fromsaid height of the selected section of the continuous milk flowdetermined by said first sensor, determining an elapsed time for saidselected section of the continuous milk flow to traverse said knowndistance between said first sensor and said second sensor and forcalculating therefrom a milk flow rate through said conduit compensatedfor variances of milk conductivity measured by said conductivity sensor.42. The milk flow device of claim 39 wherein said selected sloperelative to horizontal plane varies between about 5 degrees to about 85degrees.
 43. The milk flow device of claim 42, wherein said selectedslope varies between about 10 degrees to about 80 degrees.
 44. The milkflow device of claim 43 wherein said selected slop varies between about20 degrees at about 60 degrees.
 45. The milk flow device of claim 44wherein said selected slope is about 25 degrees to about 35 degrees. 46.A method for measuring the flow rate of a continuous fluid flowcomprising transporting within a conduit in a selected direction acontinuous fluid flow varying in height up to a maximum height whereinsaid maximum height is less than the height which would occlude saidconduit; determining with a detector at a first predetermined locationthe height of a selected section of the continuous fluid flow at saidfirst predetermined location and for determining at a secondpredetermined location located in a selected direction and a knowndistance that said selected section of the continuous milk flow hastraversed from said first predetermined location to said secondpredetermined location; and deriving with a processing deviceoperatively connected to said detector the cross-sectional area of saidcontinuous fluid flow determined by said detector from said height ofsaid selected section of the continuous milk flow at said firstpredetermined location, determining an elapsed time for the selectedsection of said continuous milk flow to traverse said known distance andcalculating therefrom fluid flow rate of the continuous fluid flowthrough said conduit.
 47. The method of claim 46 device wherein the stepof determining with said detector includes said detector having a firstdetection section for determining at said first predetermined locationthe height of a said selected section of the continuous milk flow and asecond detection section for determining the height of said selectedsection of the continuous milk flow low at said second predeterminedlocation.
 48. The method of claim 47 wherein said step of detectingincludes the detector having a first detection section and said seconddetection section located within said conduit, said first detectionsection comprising a first sensor having a predetermined cross-sectionalarea defining an opening for passing a selected section of fluid flowtherethrough wherein said predetermined cross-sectional area is greaterthan the cross-sectional area of said fluid flow passing therethroughand said second detection section comprising a second sensor having across-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area ofthe first sensor and being positioned relative to said conduit and saidfirst sensor for determining the height of a said selected section ofthe continuous fluid flow at said second predetermined location.
 49. Amethod for measuring the flow rate of a continuous fluid flow comprisingtransporting in a selected direction within a conduit a continuous fluidflow varying in height up to a maximum height wherein said maximumheight is less than the height which would occlude said conduit;determining with a first detector positioned relative to said conduit ata first predetermined location the height of a selected section of thecontinuous fluid flow at said first predetermined location; anddetermining with a second detector positioned relative to said conduitand said first detector at a second predetermined location located in aselected direction and a known distance from said first predeterminedlocation the height of said selected section of the continuous fluidflow at said second predetermined location; and deriving with aprocessing device operatively connected to said first detector and saidsecond detector the cross-sectional area of said continuous fluid flowdetermined by said first detector from said height of said selectedsection of the continuous fluid flow at said first predeterminedlocation, determining an elapsed time for said selected section of thecontinuous fluid flow to traverse said known distance between said firstdetector and said second detector and calculating therefrom fluid flowrate of the continuous fluid flow through said conduit.
 50. A method ofmeasuring milk flow in a conduit wherein the maximum height of said milkflow is less than a height which would occlude said conduit comprisingthe steps of: sloping said conduit at an angle to have milk flow in aselected direction assisted by gravity; measuring with a first sensorhaving a known cross-sectional area located at a predetermined locationin said conduit the height of a selected section of a continuous milkflow at said predetermined location a cross-sectional area of said firstsensor and conductivity of milk forming said milk flow wherein thecross-sectional area of the milk flow is less than said knowncross-sectional area; determining with a second sensor located in aselected direction and known distance from said first sensor whereinsaid second sensor has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to theknown cross-sectional area of the first sensor that the selected sectionof said continuous milk flow has traversed said known distance asfunctions of based on the known cross-sectional area of said secondsensor and conductivity of said milk; determining with a conductivitysensor located in said conduit and positioned in substantially continuecontact with said milk flow conductivity of said milk; and deriving witha processing device operatively connected to said first sensor, saidsecond sensor and said conductivity sensor the cross-sectional area ofsaid milk flow from said height of said selected section of thecontinuous milk flow determined by said first sensor and an elapsed timefor said selected section of the continuous milk flow milk flow totraverse said known distance a milk flow rate through said conduitindependent of variances of milk conductivity.
 51. A system comprising aconduit positioned between a milk claw and a pipe line for transportingin a selected direction at a selected slope to assist by gravity thepassage of a continuous milk flow varying in height up to a maximumheight within said conduit wherein said maximum height is less than theheight which would occlude said conduit; a first sensor having apredetermined cross-sectional area defining an opening for passing amilk flow therethrough and being located at a predetermined location insaid conduit, said predetermined cross-sectional area being greater thanthe cross-sectional area of a milk flow passing therethrough fordetermining the height of a selected section of a continuous milk flowat said predetermined location as a function of that portion of saidpredetermined cross-sectional area enclosed by the selected section ifsaid continuous milk flow at said predetermined location and theconductivity of milk; a second sensor having a cross-sectional areasubstantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the first sensor andbeing spaced in said conduit in the selected direction and a knowndistance from first sensor for determining the height of said selectedsection of the continuous milk flow at said known distance as a functionof that portion of said predetermined cross-sectional area enclosed bythe selected section of a said continuous milk flow at said knowndistance and the conductivity of milk; a conductivity sensor located insaid conduit and positioned to be in substantially continual contactwith said continuous milk flow for measuring conductivity of milkforming said milk flow in the proximity of said first sensor and secondsensor; and a processing device operatively connected to said firstsensor, said second sensor and said conductivity sensor for deriving thecross-sectional area of a said milk flow from said height of saidselected section of the continuous milk flow determined by said firstsensor, determining an elapsed time for said selected section of thecontinuous milk flow to traverse said known distance between said firstsensor and said second sensor and for calculating milk flow rate throughsaid conduit based on integrating a selected number of selected sectionsof milk flow compensated for variances of milk conductivity measured bysaid conductivity sensor.
 52. The system of claim 51 further comprisinga receiving jar operatively coupled to said pipeline for collecting saidmilk.
 53. The system of claim 51 wherein said first sensor comprises apair of spaced opposed rings.
 54. The system of claim 52 wherein saidsecond sensor comprises a pair of spaced opposed rings.
 55. A milk flowmeter for a milking system comprising a conduit having side walls and aminimum internal diameter selected to be in the range of a minimuminternal diameter of at least about 0.75 inches for maintaining at peakmilk flow rates from a milking apparatus substantially uniform flow ofmilk therethrough and for concurrently providing a stable continuousvacuum in a vacuum channel between the flow of milk and the interiorside walls of said conduit and a maximum internal diameter equal toabout 1.5 times the minimum internal diameter.
 56. A milk flow meter foruse in a high production milking system to reduce milking time andfluctuations of vacuum levels in the milking system comprising a conduithaving side walls and a predetermined minimum internal diameter selectedto be in the range of a minimum internal diameter of at least about 0.75inches for maintaining at peak milk flow rates from a plurality ofinflations operatively connected to the milk claw substantially uniformflow of milk therethrough and for providing a stable and continuousvacuum in a vacuum channel defined by the flow of milk and the interiorside walls of said conduit and a maximum internal diameter equal toabout 1.5 times the minimum internal diameter.
 57. A milk flow meteradapted to be operatively connected to a milking apparatus withdrawingmilk from an animal's teats while applying a controlled vacuum in therange of about 11.5 inches of Hg to about 14.0 inches of Hg to the teatsenabling the milk to be withdrawn therefrom at various milk flow ratesup to a peak flow rate, said milk flow meter comprising a conduit havingside walls and a predetermined minimum internal diameter selected to bein the range of a minimum internal diameter of at least about 0.75inches for maintaining at the various milk flow rates a substantiallyuniform flow of milk therethrough and for concurrently providing astable continuous vacuum in a vacuum channel between the flow of milkand the interior side walls of said conduit and a maximum internaldiameter equal to about 1.5 times the minimum internal diameter.